--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the military, if we don't know…" description: "\"In the military, if we don't know something, we say we don't know and proceed to shut up until we do. Some highly paid charlatans in the media think it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ca/marcus-luttrell-8438_broke_in-the-military-if-we-don-t-know-somethi_534690.jpg" --- # In the military, if we don't know something, we say we… ![“In the military, if we don't know something, we say we don't know and proceed to shut up until we do. Some highly paid charlatans in the media think it's absolutely fine to take a wild guess at the truth and then tell a couple of million people it's cast-iron fact, just in case they might be…” quote by Marcus Luttrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ca/marcus-luttrell-8438_broke_in-the-military-if-we-don-t-know-somethi_534690.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ca/marcus-luttrell-8438_broke_in-the-military-if-we-don-t-know-somethi_534690.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ca/marcus-luttrell-8438_broke_in-the-military-if-we-don-t-know-somethi_534690.jpg) > “In the military, if we don't know something, we say we don't know and proceed to shut up until we do. Some highly paid charlatans in the media think it's absolutely fine to take a wild guess at the truth and then tell a couple of million people it's cast-iron fact, just in case they might be right...I hope they're proud of themselves, because they nearly broke my mom's heart…” [Marcus Luttrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-luttrell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In military culture, admitting ignorance is valued, but media often spreads unverified claims, causing personal harm. **In simple terms:** Honest uncertainty vs. reckless speculation. Key Takeaway Prioritize truth and humility. Themes honesty media responsibility military culture truth trust Mood critical reflective serious Type journalistic military When to use this quote - news reporting - military briefings - public statements - media training Key Concepts information ethics accountability communication standards Questions to Reflect On - How can we improve verification before broadcasting? - What mechanisms ensure accountability for false claims? A Different Perspective Media speculation can erode trust and cause emotional damage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couple/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Might is right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might-is-right/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mom/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [But I shall let the little I have learnt go forth into the day in order that someone better than I may guess the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albrecht-durer/but-i-shall-let-the-little-i-have-learnt-go-forth-into-the-day-in/) [Albrecht Durer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albrecht-durer/) > [The true and the approximately true are apprehended by the same faculty; it may also be noted that men have a sufficient natural instinct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-true-and-the-approximately-true-are-apprehended-by-the-same/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [“I guess sometimes the truth just isn't worth believing... 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